Stars and STEM Stories
Teachers Enhance Science Learning Through GLOBE Implementation in Uruguay
GLOBE Uruguay organized an important GLOBE Teacher Training Workshop in Montevideo on 26-27 October 2012. Held in both the Alianza Cultural Uruguay—Estados Unidos, and Colonia de Vacaciones de Malvíin, 23 teachers attended from all over the country, representing the following departments: Artigas, Canelones, Cerro Largo, Colonia, Durazno, Flores, Florida, Maldonado, Montevideo, Río Negro, Salto, Soriano, and Tacuarembó. Invitations were sent to departments with current GLOBE schools as well as departments where GLOBE schools are not yet established.
The event was organized by GLOBE Uruguay Country Coordinator Lic Andrea Ventoso of the National Directorate for Environment, and was sponsored by the Department of Education for Service Training in CEIP (Consejo de Educación Inicial y Primaria), Colonia de Vacaciones de Malvíin, and the GLOBE Latin America and Caribbean Regional Office based in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The workshop was supported by the U.S. Embassy in Uruguay, which consistently assists GLOBE Uruguay in its activities.
The key objectives of the workshop were to:
- Learn the proper implementation of protocols and guidelines for taking reliable measurements;
- Increase the motivation and development of a "scientific spirit" by encouraging teachers to be researchers and promoters of scientific research with their students;
- Promote understanding of the Earth system by learning how to take their own measurements; and
- Promote collaborative work with others as well as sharing research experiences with others.
GLOBE Argentina Country Coordinator and Master Trainer Prof. Maria Marta Daneri presented atmosphere and hydrology protocols to participants, while Uruguay's Master Trainer, Prof. Patricia Píriz of School No. 85 "República de la India," presented land cover, phenology, GLOBE at Night, and practical hydrology activities that the teachers can perform with their students. Píriz was recently certified in Santo Domingo, becoming Uruguay's first Master Trainer. Possessing seven years of experience with the Program, Píriz shared her knowledge of how GLOBE can impact teachers as well as their students' education. She emphasized the applicability of GLOBE protocols and activities in both the rural and urban schools where they work.
To further emphasize the Program's practicality, two of GLOBE Uruguay's Alumni, Melissa Cristóbal and Claudio Lacuesta, gave an excellent presentation of the Hydrology research they have been carrying out for three years. This demonstration allowed the teachers to see how developing research projects for theoretical and practical purposes can help increase knowledge and develop applications for everyday life. One participant commented, "Congratulations on the organization and incorporation of field work. The contributions were very clear and were applicable, and can be incorporated into our course curriculum."
This workshop gave teachers an opportunity to discuss new teaching methods that can be applied in their science curriculum using observation, scientific instruments, and the formulation of research questions. Lic. Ventoso stated, "In order for this new knowledge and practice to be implemented in the classroom, teachers first must raise awareness among their students about the need to care for their environment."
Participants were pleased with the event, stating it was "motivating" and "highly applicable," and walked away with ideas on how to immediately incorporate GLOBE into their curriculum. One teacher shared that "GLOBE Uruguay and Argentina showed quality and relevant collaborative work, and took advantage of one another's feedback in order to make improvements. It was very inspiring."
Read more GLOBE Stars in Uruguay:
Uruguay Students Look for Life in the Miguelete Stream
Workshop Increases Opportunities for GLOBE Research in Uruguay
GLOBE Students in Uruguay Apply GLOBE Data to Cloud Research
Uruguay Investigates GLOBE at Night
19 December 2012